Queen of the Night Reviews: Name Before the Masses Tour & Giveaway for Strapped by Nina G. Jones

Join author Nina G. Jones on her Name Before the Masses Tour for Strapped, presented by Goddess Fish Promotions, from October 17 – December 5, 2013. Please leave a comment or question for Nina to let her know you stopped by. You can enter her tour wide giveaway (for a $50 Victoria’s Secret Gift Card) by filling out the Rafflecopter form below. You can also follow the rest of her tour here, the more stops you visit, the better your odds of winning.

The Psychology Behind an Erotic Thriller

by Nina G. Jones

There is a certain freedom that comes with writing Erotica or Erotic Fiction. Sexuality is an important aspect of the human psyche, and to breeze over it cam limit one’s ability to fully explore characters and their relationships. That is not to say a great psychological thriller cannot be written unless sex in involved. However, if sex is an important component of a character’s personality or pathology, then it must be written about unapologetically.

At the center of an erotic thriller is sex, of course. But it’s more than sex, it is how sex reflects characters’ psyches. It’s how they use sex to relate, communicate, control, or manipulate. Sex, something that can be used to create life, to provide the greatest pleasure a human can feel, also has the power to be used in a much more sinister way. And so, I enjoy toting the line with my characters, forcing the reader to ask themselves what are the motives of each character as they engage in sexual behaviors. Much like the characters who struggle between desires and cultural norms, I hope the reader battles with whether they love or hate a particular character based on the characters’ relationships in the book.

I remember years ago, in my abnormal psychology class, my professor told the story of a former client of his who visited truck stops and solicited sexual acts and beatings. He was masochistic and beatings were something he sought out to feel sexually fulfilled. Unfortunately, this behavior was extremely dangerous as truck stops are full of transient people who could severely hurt him and leave without a trace. I think most people can agree this guy had a problem which was putting him at risk. Eventually, despite the best efforts of my professor, this man decided to answer an ad for a live-in sexual slave. He wrote a letter to my professor stating that this is what he wanted. He was making a choice to be a sexual servant and he was going to move on with his plans. He could see himself no other way, this was the life he wanted. The professor never saw him again.

That story stuck with me because it had so many layers. Yes, going to truck stops was very dangerous and he needed to stop that behavior or face the possibility of serious injury or death. He eventually found a “safer” alternative, one where he could live out his masochistic desires without the risk of being beaten by strangers. It was his choice, this is what he wanted, this is what made him feel whole. He sought treatment, but he realized that this trait was far too ingrained in his personality and that he could only feel fulfilled by living his life this way. This man was also a victim of abuse as a child, adding another layer to the very complex psychological case study.

So is this man wrong for following through with his plans? If someone takes part in non-mainstream sexual behaviors (and I am not just talking about something at the level of this man), does that mean something is wrong with them?

If not, where is the line? What makes one thing kinky and something else deviant? I don’t think the line is so clear, and erotic thrillers allow us to explore those questions in the safety of our imagination.

With Strapped, my goal was to highlight some of these questions, while also being an escapist read. Fantasizing is an important part of life. That’s why we read books and watch television after all. We read about people doing things we would never imagine doing, even if we were to be presented with the opportunity. Yet, we get to fully enjoy the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with connecting with these scenarios. I loved Breaking Bad and the various characters and plot twists. Would I ever become a meth cook? Nope. But, going through the emotional ups and downs that dark fiction can provide can be a great outlet for the reader as well.

Strapped

By Nina G. Jones

Strapped Series, Volume 1

Publisher: Nina G. Jones

Release Date: July 25, 2013

Genre: Erotic Thriller

Length: 350 Pages

ISBN: 978-1490518237

ASIN: B00E9GH1T4

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About the book:

By all appearances, Shyla Ball has an enviable life: a loyal boyfriend, a great job, and family that loves her. She doesn't realize how deeply unsatisfied she is until she has an embarrassing encounter with a handsome stranger at a coffee shop.

Taylor Holden, a successful businessman, takes a sudden special interest in her and offers her a job she cannot refuse. Soon after, she learns there is much more to this intensely private man than meets the eye. He is hiding many painful secrets, including why it is that he has seemingly plucked her out of obscurity for such a lucrative position. Her "perfect" world is turned upside down by her infatuation towards Taylor and in just a couple of months, her life looks nothing like it did before. While she is frightened by the changes she sees in herself, she cannot resist the lure of Taylor Holden.

As Shyla slowly gains Taylor's trust, she learns of his complex history and how it has molded him into the person he has become. When elements of Taylor's secret past resurface and threaten to destroy them, Shyla finds out there may be more to Taylor's story than even he is aware of.

Strapped is a story of passion, manipulation, obsession, and family secrets.

Buy Links: Amazon │B & N │ARe │ Kobo

Excerpt

“You forgot your jacket.” It is still on my shoulders. I turn around to offer it up to him.

“Thank you Shy,” As he says this he takes both of his hands, grabbing each shoulder of the jacket and oh so slowly pulls it off of me, grazing my bare arms and back as he pulls it off. I close my eyes taking in his touch. Each caress of his fingertips feels like one thousand little sparks. How can just the faintest touch from this man set me off like this? Please kiss me. Kiss my neck. I won’t say no. I hold my position for a second more than I should, but it feels so tortuously long. There is nothing, not another touch, not a kiss. I turn to face him again and bid him goodnight. His face looks sad, almost guilty. Every word, every touch, every action tonight was an implication. This keeps us safe from one another. It keeps me safe from him.

“Goodnight Shy,” he says as if dismissing me from his presence.

“Goodnight Taylor.”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Nina G. Jones was born and raised in Bronx, NY and currently resides in Milwaukee, WI with her husband and two crazy Boxers.

She is the author of Strapped, and is currently working on the sequel for Strapped, slated to be released in early 2014.

Nina lives a pretty wholesome life, but is fascinated with the dark side of things. She loves watching true crime TV shows and it creeps her husband out to no end. Nina has a degree in Psychology and uses her characters as a vehicle to explore the human psyche.

She also totally gets it if you want to throw your Kindle at her when you reach the end of Strapped, but please let her know so she has a chance to duck.

Links:

Website: http://ninagjones.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strappednovel

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NinaGJones